3 mind-boggling festivals from around the world 

Think of festivals and the most obvious names that pop up on your mind are Diwali, Holi or Christmas. Over time, Halloween and Thanksgiving have also become common in India. Apart from these well-known festivals, there are many lesser-known bizarre ones that have unique histories, relevance and customs. Read on to know about three of the most mind-boggling festivals celebrated the world over. 

Hair Freezing Contest, Canada 
If you have always fancied a new hairdo, this festival may really interest you. Canada hosts this festival in February every year, one of the chilliest months there. The celebration includes a strange competition where the participants gather at a natural hot spring in Yukon named Takhini and immerse themselves in the hot water. Once their hair is soaked, they come to the surface and begin creating elaborate hairstyles. Outside, the temperature is really low and the air is chilly. When the damp water meets the cold air, it begins to freeze. Frosty hairdos formed as a result are judged on looks and creativity.  

Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand 
If you think that this is an elaborate buffet that features an array of feasts made for monkeys, you are right! The annual Monkey Buffet is laid out on the last Sunday of November in the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple ruins in Thailand. Over 4,000 kilos of sweets, vegetables and fruits are arranged in a beautiful display for monkeys. The ceremony begins with an opening act where the young people dress like monkeys, revelling in a typical native dance. Following this, the banquet is uncovered, and it is time for the monkeys to have a go! This was an ingenious idea by a businessman to improve tourism in the city of Lopburi, a city in Thailand, in the year 1989. 

Air Guitar Festival, Finland 
If you are imagining a musical contest with a twist, this is probably it! Held annually usually in August, this is a competition where contestants must play an air guitar – which essentially involves mimicking the act of playing the guitar in the air. Yes, this is a real contest, complete with judges. In fact, there is a well-defined structure to this seemingly bizarre competition. The first round of competition allows participants to choose their own song to play, while the next one requires them to play the air guitar to a song chosen by the judges. What began as a simple competition as part of a large music event in Oulu, Finland, in 1996, became an event by itself! The Air Guitar Festival today attracts contenders from over 10 countries across the world. It has also been awarded the status of a licensed national championship.